Mouchel staff provide business consultancy — but they also find their employer is keen to consult them on ways to make the organisation a better company to work for.

Based in West Byfleet, Surrey, with 114 other sites around the UK, the business works mostly with public sector companies, helping to smooth the way for the efficient delivery of safe and reliable roads and railways, clean water and regenerated urban communities. Employees report a high regard for health and safety, with the 86% positive score for this question ranking the company fourth in our survey.

The 5,415 staff say the work is never boring (a 71% positive score) and that the company makes a positive difference to the world (65%).

Although 30% of staff joined in the past year, roughly the same proportion has been there for more than five years and the average age is 40.

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Employees say people don’t use intimidation to get what they want (69%) and nobody is afraid to voice their concerns to management (70%). Twice a year, Mouchel’s management board runs a road show travelling to all of the offices to discuss business issues and the annual staff survey, as well as giving an opportunity for direct feedback.

The company provides the mobile technology to enable a raft of flexible working conditions. Employees don’t feel too exhausted after work most days (giving a positive score of 50%).

They are entitled to up to 34 days of holiday a year, depending on length of service, and can buy five extra days in exchange for a deduction in salary. Career breaks of between 12 months and three years offer the opportunity for staff to devote time to other aspects of their life such as family, travel or study.

Most people have performance-related pay, critical illness and life assurance cover, as well as access to childcare vouchers. Two-thirds are eligible for a share option scheme and more than a fifth have free private healthcare. The flexible benefits package offered also includes discounts on Bupa membership. The firm doubles the 3.5% of salary employees put into a contributory pension. Mums-to-be get six weeks on full pay, 12 at half pay and the rest of their maternity leave at statutory levels.

To help staff in difficult times, Mouchel funds a 24-hour employee assistance helpline and additional counselling is available. Employees say the company cares about their wellbeing, giving a positive score of 63% overall for this factor.

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